Whether and how to permit carport construction in the City took up most of the discussion time at last week’s April Fool’s Day City Council meeting. While many might think it was a joke, it was serious business.
The topic was placed on the agenda at the request of Lucy Gonzales Council Member representing SMD 4. She said that many of her constituents in the Paul Ann area had contacted her about the issue, and wanting to build carports.
Overlay Zone For Carport Construction
The city has an overlay zone where carport construction is permitted, explained Aaron Vannoy City Planning Director. But, the Paul Ann area was not included when that overlay zone was created in 2005.
The current overlay zone permits carports in the purple area marked above to build a carport. It also has specific requirements for materials so that they match the architecture and look of the house.
The overlay was originally designed for small properties that had no garage or only a one car garage. It was not intended for newer areas of the city where two car garages were the norm.
Legislature Limited City’s Options
But the law has changed since 2005. The City can no longer just extend the overlay zone to cover other areas of the City.
After April 2019 a city is no longer allowed to regulate the materials used outside of a historical or cultural district.
Therefore, the City may not have control over what a carport looks like or what sort of materials it is constructed from. Vannoy said this made the issue a larger discussion than just expanding the overlay area.
Carports And Concerns About Protecting Property Values
This raised concerns for some council members. “As the Mayor always says, our homes are our biggest asset,” said council member Gonzalez. She would like to see carports blend, and be connected to the house.
Mayor Gunter said she saw the issue as two-fold.
“Some homes were purchased with carports that were never permitted. We have to develop strategically how to approach structures that are not permitted that exist for all the right reasons.”
First, there is new construction.
Gunter suggested a creating a developers task force to come up with a plan that allows for open structures in new that blend with the house and neighborhood.
The second is issue is protecting the value of the neighbor’s property when an open structure or carport is built. Gunter said she opposed open structures being built for storage, but was okay with them if their purpose was to protect vehicles.
Therefore, she said, “The issue is not simple it is complicated.” While she understood the need to plan for the long term, “but what about today? We need to address the issues today.”
Gunter expressed concern about people who bought a house with a carport already built who did not know it was not permitted. Will they have to tear down their carport?
Vannoy assured the Mayor the City does everything they can to make sure that does not happen.
City staff were instructed to study the issue further and bring it back to the council at a future meeting. No action was taken.
No action was taken.
In other business:
- Received annual report from Charlotte Anderson with Keep San Angelo Beautiful.
- Awarded Sourcewell Contract for fleet parts and supply services.
- Purchased lift station pumps from Xylem Water Solutions
- Approved purchase of two Zodiac Texas Task Force Rescue Boats
- Approved sale of surplus, obsolete ammunition.
- Approve reimbursable agreement with FAA for construction oversight of South Taxilane Project at the Airport.
- Authorized sale of land to economic development corporation and resolution to expand South Plains Lamesa Railroad Ltd. railpark,
- Ratified economic development corporation purchase of land at industrial park from Big Country Equipment Holdings.
- Awarded bid for purchase and installation of garage doors in the amount of $361,189.
